The elimination, Michaels contends, was “a scripted kill” because no other previous winners agreed to compete.

“I went in to really fight and win money for my charity,” he says. “I just wasn’t let in on the joke. It made me furious. Absolutely I was upset. But crying like a baby was not part of it.”

Yesterday, a source close to the show told RadarOnline: “It was a mess when Bret was told the news and filming was done. He couldn’t stop crying and even the producers were trying to comfort him. No one expected him to have a meltdown like that.”

Michaels — a former “Celebrity Apprentice” champ — was called in to the boardroom along with La Toya Jackson and project Manager Brande Roderick after their team lost a meatball selling challenge.

“Deep down, psychologically it is awfully hard for me to pick you again as a winner,” Trump told him. “Bret, You’re fired!”

Michaels — who postponed numerous concerts and television commitments to participate on the show — says “Apprentice” staffers later told him it “wasn’t good television” to have him advance on the show a second time.

The next morning he requested a private meeting with Trump, who he still considers a good friend — despite the awkward termination.

“We had a man to man talk. I was confused (by the firing) and we had a great conversation.”

“I think the show is a great show and I think Donald Trump is great.”

Though he failed to win any money on the episode, Michaels says he immediately flew home to Arizona, booked a local theater and put on a concert with all proceeds benefiting his Life Rocks Foundation.

Michaels is currently filming the new reality series, “Rock My RV,” which will premiere this spring on The Travel Channel.